Upstart Romeo displays versatility and charisma

Joe Delaney

Friday, Dec. 10, 1999 | 9:51 a.m.

Darren Romeo bills himself as "the Voice of Magic," afternoons at 1 and 3, dark on Wednesdays, in the Flamingo Hilton showroom. The 24-year-old is much more than that. He is an accomplished illusionist with an excellent voice of considerable range, and is an impressive impressionist. Charismatic, with immense likability and high energy levels, it is not surprising that he would take on a large Strip showroom in December. If he and his backers can weather it past Christmas, there is a good chance of successful survival.

There was a preshow selection, sung offstage and written by Romeo. It is in the Andrew Lloyd Webber "Phantom of the Opera" style, a good mood setter. He paid tribute to the late Bobby Darin, singing "Dream Lover" while performing a glass box illusion utilizing his extremely attractive assistant, Alicia Carnes, who is Miss Nevada 2000 and will compete next year in the Miss America Pageant.

"Prince of Humbug" from the stage musical, "Barnum," had a box illusion wherein Romeo appeared to shrink and be restored to his original size. This led to a rapid succession of well-received impressions that included Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Celine Dion, Diana Ross, Ricky Martin, Elton John, Alanis Morissette, Johnny Mathis, Tom Jones and Prince, or whatever he is not called at the moment. This portion was very good, but still a work in progress.

Darin's "Mack the Knife" accompanied another original illusion, doubling its impact. At this point, Romeo invited a lady from the audience, read an original poem to her, sang Billy Joel's "And So it Goes," and had a rose materialize, which he presented to her.

It was back to "Barnum" and a rousing "There's a Sucker Born Every Minute" as a prelude to Metamorphosis, a staple, done to near perfection here with Carnes. "Where You Are" from "Kiss of the Spider Woman" had Romeo in a spiked box, disappearing and re-appearing in the audience.

Romeo had a solo spot here, singing "Love Changes Everything" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Aspects of Love," affirming our first opinion that he could succeed as a singing entertainer, sans illusions or impressions.

The closer was "Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera," sung to Carnes, who was levitated, then disappears. It should be noted that all the songs are sung live -- and very well.

Romeo is not a stranger to Las Vegas. He served as magic director for Caesars Magical Empire for three years and has also performed in the Westbury Music Fair and the Valley Forge Music Fair back East, the Teatro Principale in Spain, Equitable Theatre on Broadway, Jones Beach Theatre on Long Island, New York and the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills, among others. Hollywood's famed Magic Castle is one of Romeo's official supporters.

At $14.95, including tax, drinks extra, the Darren Romeo show offers a low-budget, high-quality respite from Christmas shopping, etc.